Toothpick.



ISM 792,471. PATENTED JUNE 13, 1905. J. LISMITH.

TOOTHPIGK.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 9. 1905.

Jar/765 I 1/ Patented J une 13, 1905.

PATENT FFICE.

JAMES L. SMITH, OF PRINCETON, INDIANA.

TOOTHPICK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 792,471, dated June 13, 1905. Application filed February 9, 1905. Serial No, 244,929.

T0 to whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JAMES L. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Princeton, in the county of Gibson and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toothpicks; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention is an improved combined toothpick and tooth-brush adapted for use both for picking the teeth and for brushing the surfaces thereof and for cleaning the spaces between the teeth; and it consists of a toothpick having a brush at one end of the same, as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a combined toothpick and tooth-brush embodying my improvements, and Fig. 2 is a similar view at right angles to Fig. 1.

In the embodiment of my invention I provide a toothpick 1 with a brush 2 at one end thereof.

My improved combined tooth pick and brush is preferably made of wood; but it may be made of any other suitable material. The same is tapered in form from end to end. The smaller end of the toothpick is pointed, as at 3, and the opposite broadened end is formed with a brush, the latter being formed by compressing the broadened end of the toothpick, so as to dispose the said broadened end thereof in the form of a flattened outwardly-broadening brush by separating the fibers of the broadened end of the toothpick in order to form the brush. The flattened sides of the brush end ofthe toothpick converge outwardly to facilitate the insertion of the brush end of the pick between the teeth, and the brush end of the toothpick may also be used for cleaning the surfaces of the teeth. When the brush end of the toothpick is used in the mouth, the fibers thereof become moistened and rendered soft and pliable, and the brush is exceedingly efficient for cleaning the teeth and removing all food particles therefrom.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A toothpick having a flattened brush at one end, the fibers of which diverge toward the outer end of the brush, the flattened opposite sides of the brush converging outwardly, so that the said brush is rendered wedgeshape, to adapt it to be readily inserted between the teeth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES L. SMITH.

\Vitnesses:

JOHN R. MoOoY, GEO. MossMAN. 

